Mississippi State University

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

156-90

Mississippi State University anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the procedures outlined below.

  1. Commodity or commodities to be purchased (make, model, description):

•NEXACTUATOR Linear Actuator, 30mm, 20nm Encoder-Resolution

•NEXACT® Controller, 1 Channel, Linear Encoder

  1. Explanation of the need to be fulfilled by this item(s) and why it is the only one that can meet the specific needs of the department:

The linear actuator (nanopositioner) and the controller will be used to develop a contact-mechanics set-up with the purpose of measuring the adhesion strength and fracture behavior of soft materials such as gels and hydrogels. In these experiments, by using the nanopositioner, a glass probe (with and without surface treatment) will be brought in contact (approach) with the soft materials and then will be retracted from the sample to measure the adhesion strength and fracture energy. During the approach and retraction process the movement of the probe needs to be controlled very precisely with the resolution of few hundred nanometer. This will be achieved by the N-381.3A NEXACT linear actuator. Also, in some experiments, the approach and retraction will be oscillatory in nature. Such will also be achieved by operating the N-381.3A NEXACT linear actuator in closed loop mode. The purpose of the controller (E-861.1A1 NEXACT) is to control the linear and oscillatory motion of the actuator.

The N-381.3A actuator and E-861.1A1 controller have some important features that are missing in the products from other companies:

  • The N-381.3A has an integrated linear encoder built into the actuator
  • The N-381.3A has internal guidance and protection from lateral forces up to 10N
  • High resolution and low wear PiezoWalk® stepping drives offer subnanometer resolution, high forces, and high stiffness. PiezoWalk® stepping drives are not subject to sliding friction effects.
  1. Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible source that can provide the required item(s):

This fixture will be purchased from PI (Physik Instrumente) LP. Based on the information available in the open literature, this is the only company that can provide a linear actuator with built in encoder. This is important to track the actual displacement during the experiment. The resolution of this instrument is very high and such accuracy is uttermost important for scientific investigations. Also, the set-up is sold as a complete package and no additional components are required.

  1. Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is considered reasonable:

The estimated cost of the fixture with all components is $ 8648.00. The original price of the item was $9103 and 5%startup lab (new lab)discount was provided. With offered discount the price is reasonable. If the components are purchased separately, combining all components will be very time consuming and expensive.

  1. Explanation of the efforts taken by the department to determine this is the only source and the efforts used to obtain the best possible price:

A thorough literature search was conducted to search for a system with similar capabilities and no such sources are obtained.

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the commodity listed is not sole source and can be provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice to:

Don Buffum, CPPO

Director of Procurement & Contracts

Subject Line must read “Sole Source Objection”

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the commodity is not a sole source procurement. Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, MSU determines that the commodity in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then MSU will withdraw the sole source request publication from the procurement portal website and submit the procurement of the commodity to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If MSU determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity, then MSU will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. MSU will have the burden of proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.

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